Bovet Pininfarina OttantaTre Tourbillon Watch Hands-On

The 2013 Tourbillon OttantaTre continues Swiss Bovet's relationship with Italian design house Pininfarina with yet another rather intense looking luxury timepiece. It is true that watch lovers can enter into a Bovet Pininfarina watch for about $25,000 with the Cambiano (reviewed here), but seriously well-funded aficionados are going to want to take a close look at $300,000 plus fare such as the Amadeo 44 Tourbillon OttantaTre watch.

In 2010 we covered the Bovet Pininfarina Tourbillon Ottana that was a visual and thematic predecessor to the OttantaTre. The base movement is similar as well, though each of these watches is distinct and beautiful. Bovet has continued to match these watches with chronological names starting with 80 (in Italian), though they are fun to say in English. This new black and gold watch is one of the best looking pieces yet and keeps the traditionally-themed Bovet brand quite modern in appearance.

At 44mm wide, the 18k red gold case is an "Amadeo-style" case which means that it is convertible. This means that the case can be used as a wristwatch, desk clock, pocket watch, or pendant by removing the straps and attaching a chain, or extending the back as a little foot stand. This transformative quality is cool, but we find that most people end up wearing it as a wristwatch. The large "ribbon" on the top of the watch serves as a crown guard and is a distinctive aesthetic element on Bovet watches meant to remind you of pocket watches and the brand's rich history of making them.

Some, but not all Amadeo watches are also reversible - just as this one is. That means either side of the watch has a dial on it. Because you can remove the straps you can also flip them around to allow for the watch to be worn on either side. So you have a "reversible, convertible watch," how many timepieces can claim that? For all this money you deserve some wearing options for sure.

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Fueled by an unshakable love for horology and a general curiosity for intricate things, Ariel Adams founded aBlogtoWatch in 2007 as a means of sharing his passion. Since then, ABTW has become the highest trafficked blog on luxury timepieces, and Ariel has become a contributor to other online publications such as Forbes, Departures and Tech Crunch, to name just a few. His conversational writing style and inclusive attitude brings a wider appreciation for watches the world over, and that's just the way he likes it.
Follow me on Google+ Ariel Adams

O wye O wye was I born poor I think this watch would be the start and end of my collection if I got lucky with lotto I would have to have one
I obviously like the gold and even though it is definitely a pocket watch style it still looks modern and the complecatedly simple theory applies to this one big time, jump hour retrograde minute and seconds on the tourbillon and a power reserve how complecatedly simple can it get
There are a few of the Bovet watches I really like but this one is definitely is the cherry on top
Thanks Ariel for showing us yet another masterpiece of time keeping

MarkCarson

Fabulous watch. But to be honest, it looks like it does not wear very
comfortably. Or should I say snugly. Sure makes a statement on the wrist
(or off). Besides the technical aspects of their watches, I really
admire the details and sense of aesthetics of Bovet. In pocket watch
mode, that would be something more refined for Flavor Flave to hang
around his neck.

Ulysses31

It’s nice deal – two watches for the price of, um, ten. It’s quite stylish and has some attractive quirky features but I reckon there’s too much empty space at the bottom. They could’ve filled it with candy or glitter, perhaps a teaspoon of Italian olive oil, you know… something sensible and interesting. Whatever, it’s a nice watch but I don’t see it as masculine. That buckle like thing on the top makes it look like something i’m used to seeing on a woman’s hand-bag or a shoe or belt. If it were better integrated while preserving the functionality i’d like it more

Ryan B

It would look awkward as a wrist watch, yet as a pocket watch this is an eye catcher. The switch from traditional on one side to retrograde on the other is a nice feature that really makes this stand out as a winner.
Do like the open view of the tourbillon, one can see the mechanics of it working without being blocked by the rest of the movement. Cool spot for a power reserve too, somewhat inconspicuous. Thanks for sharing Ariel.

IvanGopey

Why are you begin to use that ugly pages for articles? They are uncomfort.

IvanGopey Thanks for the comment. There are a few reasons we are testing this. Most of them are to benefit the larger audience of the site and to improve our ranking on Google search results. Allow me to explain; aBlogtoWatch is very image heavy and that can result in slow loading times. By segmenting longer articles into two or more pages less has to load on each page, increasing loading times. This is also because we are starting to use larger images in our articles, which we have had demand for. Yes, it does require a bit more clicking, but the overall experience should be fast, and we will be rewarded by Google who is looking to promote faster loading websites. Thanks for asking.

bichondaddy

I love Bovet’s designs…maybe not the price…but I love to look at them. Would love to own one….so…..C’mon Powerball numbers!!! LOL

Kris C

I like that they did not find reason to chip in one of their almost-trademark ‘serpentine’ hands. The retrograde side is easily the better of the 2, and it hints at the GG Arena watches. But, I don’t like the see-through aspect, or all the unused space. And the articulating crown-guard deal simply cannot be comfortable to wear, I don’t care how much it costs.
I’m glad Bovet exists: they are a style unto themselves, which is very refereshing, but I’m glad they exist for blog fodder: I don’t see why I would ever want to own one.

SN0WKRASH

I’m crazy about it, but cannot comment with any realistic slant, as I fell hard for Bovet long ago in a blinding, crippling kind of crazy love way, so.. sigh. Carry on.

aleximd2000

I don’t know why they do not make skeleton watches with date window???????????????????????
If you know one please write for me in an answer all the best